Chapter 1: Introduction

Daniell’s POV:

"Congratulations graduates of class 2020-2021"

"OMG! Congrats to us girls! I can't believe it we're finally done with college!" Cyrille said happily.

"Also, congrats to our Valedictorian, Daniell Jane Cruz! I wish I’m as smart as you! Blow out!" Rein teasingly said.

"No thanks." I said while laughing.

Hi. I'm Daniell Jane Cruz. 24 years old. I'm from Cainta, Rizal but currently living here in Manila. Culinary arts is my course. Not to brag but I belong to a rich family. But that didn't give me a reason to be a brat. Unlike the others whose just because they’re more uplifting, they think they’re better than the rest.

"Oh, come on Dani! Just once." Ashley said and pushed me slightly. I just laughed at what she said.

"Girls stop it! You know she's saving for her journey. Don't worry Dani I'll take care of it. I'll answer for our celebration later." Celine said. I smiled and thanked her.

They all said yes and gave each other a high five.

"Yun oh! Let's bar later at BGC." Katherine suggested. Others agreed.

"Why don’t we celebrate at the house of one of us? It’s going to be expensive for Celine. Let's just buy drinks. Dani will take care of making cocktails." Rein's suggestion. I nodded in agreement.

“It’s fine with me. I’ll make your favorites.” I said.

"Sure! We’ll do it in my house since mom and dad isn’t here. I'll pick you up around 6:30 p.m. I'm going to have a family lunch. It's a celebration for my success hahaha." Said Celine.

"I'll take care of the snacks as well." I added right away.

“Yes, of course. All right 6:30 p.m. ah. It is forbidden for us to be incomplete later. But ladies before we forget, selfie!” Cyrille shouted and raised her polaroid cam.

They're my friends. Cyrille Bertiz, Rein Ponce, Ashley Cortez, Celine Lim and Katherine Park. We’ve been together since 4th grade. We’ve been inseparable. We’re always here for each other. We all share the same crush, same interest, same hobbies, and other things.

“Y’all should keep that, okay? Or else I’ll be sad.” Cyrille joked and gave us one by one our pics.

“Of course! Do you want me to frame it?” Katherine said.

"It's up to you as long as I get a tarpaulin of this." Cyrille said and laughed.

“Weak. I’ll put mine in a bulletin board in front of the condo where I live.” I said and laughed. They all laughed too and agreed with me.

“Come on guys let’s go home. We still have a party later we need a lot of energy.” Celine said agreed by the others.

"Well then see you later b*****s!" Ashley said.

We hugged each other before parting.

---

"Congrats my daughter! I'm so proud of you! Finally, I have a graduate!" Mom exclaimed that made me chuckle.

"Keep your camera away. I can see your pores." Laughing I said.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so excited and happy at the same time." She said before taking her camera away.

That’s my mom. Daniella Cruz. She’s 41 years old. We can talk through video call first because she's in America now. Handling our business there.

"Thanks mom. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here today. You can retire now. I'll handle everything. Go take a vacation or come back here in the Philippines. I'll take care of our family." I said. She sighed before giving me a sad smile.

"Jane, you know I can't do that. Not yet. Especially since we haven't seen your dad yet." She explained. I sighed.

"Mom, it's been 15 years. We don't even know if he really wants to search. Maybe it's time to stop." I said.

15 years ago, my dad went to America to visit some of his old friends and colleague. He's a retired army. After he left, he never came back. We thought he just extended his stay there. But mom said she could feel something different. So, we asked his friends but what they said scared us.

"He didn't make it. We didn't take him with us either. We received a text from him saying he couldn't continue." One of his colleagues said.

When we found out that dad went missing, we searched for him. But mom stopped me saying that I should continue my study and she will be the one to look. She searched for him in different countries. She has been to almost everything in the country. But until now, we still haven’t found him. But mom never gave up. That's why she chooses to stay in America in case one day they meet or maybe someone will see him.

"Darling, don't say that. I know he's here. I can feel it." She said.

"Are you sure? Maybe it's just stomachache you're feeling?" I tried to joke. "But seriously mom. Come home here. You need to rest you've been doing this for the last 12 years. You always go to different country. I'll handle everything there. I'll look for Dad too." I said. She shook her head no.

"Jane, we've talked about this so many times. I'm not leaving this country until I can find him. Just trust me. I'll find him too. Soon." She said. I pouted.

"So even if I get sick here, you still won't go home?" I asked that made her laugh.

"Yeah, very funny." She said. I just laughed like him. But I stopped to hear a faint crack here in my room. I just ignored that but got stronger. I looked out my window and saw it had a crack. Big crack.

"Is something wrong?" Mom asked. I shaked my head no.

"Mom I have to go. I need to get ready. My friends and I will have a celebration later." I said. She nodded and smiled.

“Go on. But remember, don't drink too much, okay? Take care of yourself. I love you. I know I said this earlier, but I really am proud of you. And I’m sure your father is proud of you too.” She said and sent me a flying kiss. I also did the same thing and smiled.

"Bye mom. Love 'ya." I said before ending the call. I looked at my bedroom window and saw the crack still there. I stood up and walked towards it.

I looked at it confused. How the hell did it get cracked? First of all, I'm in the highest floor of the condo I'm living in so there's no way a rock can reach this floor. Second, this condo has no equivalent building. Third, this doesn't look like something hit it. It looked like it's scratched. I touched it and traced it with the finger. I felt goosebumps all over me as soon as it came contact with my skin.

"How did you get cracked?" I asked. I lowered my head and laughed at myself. I feel like crazy why am I even asking this window how it got cracked?

I looked at the crack again and my eyes widened. I could see a girl standing behind me, looking at me straight in the eyes. I immediately turned around, only to be greeted by a cold wind that sent shivers down my spine.

I turned my head around, there's no one inside my room. Only me. I shaked my head. I must be hallucinating. Right? I’m just tired.

"Dani calm down. You're just tired." I convinced myself. I took my phone and set an alarm. I'll just sleep for like 30 minutes then I could go buy the drinks needed.

Before I get to bed, I arranged everything I’ll need later. My clothes, bag, and other stuff too.

After I set the alarm, I went to bed. Because of tiredness too, I closed my eyes and get eaten by the darkness.

---

Third Person’s POV:

Ah! It’s good to be back! I'm back in this world!

I looked around the room where I was. I spotted a sleeping lady. I smiled to myself and walked towards her. I caressed her hair and stared at her face.

Sleep well, my friend. For I will make sure you won’t be getting any of it the following days.

I slowly gripped her hair and glared at her beautiful face. This innocent face is the reason behind what happened to me! 

How could all of you forget me? Have you forgotten what happened to me? What you all did to me? 

“Everyone thinks you’re innocent, kind and intelligent. But why don’t we add a little twist? Hmm?” I said to her and laughed. I let go of her hair and stood up from her bed. 

I looked at her phone at the side of her bed. I smirked to myself. I walked towards it and held it in my transparent hand.

LET THE FUN BEGIN!